syndrome

syndrome

[sin´drōm]

a combination of symptoms resulting from a single cause or so commonly occurring together as to constitute a distinct clinical picture. For specific syndromes, see under the name, such as adrenogenital syndrome or reye's syndrome. See also disease and sickness.

syndrome of crocodile tears spontaneous lacrimation occurring parallel with the normal salivation of eating. It follows facial paralysis and seems to be due to straying of the regenerating nerve fibers, some of those destined for the salivary glands going to the lacrimal glands.

syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) a syndrome in which secretion of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) is not inhibited by hypotonicity of extracellular fluid and hyponatremia is produced. It occurs in conjunction with oat cell carcinoma of the lung and certain other malignant tumors and is caused by production of vasopressin by the tumor. See also ectopic hormones.

syn·drome

(sin'drōm), This word is not properly applied to a solitary symptom or sign.

The aggregate of symptoms and signs associated with any morbid process, together constituting the picture of the disease.See also: disease.

acquired immune deficiency syndrome , acquired immunodeficiency syndrome an epidemic, transmissible retroviral disease caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, manifested in severe cases as profound depression of cell-mediated immunity, and affecting certain recognized risk groups. Diagnosis is by the presence of a disease indicative of a defect in cell-mediated immunity (e.g., life-threatening opportunistic infection) in the absence of any known causes of underlying immunodeficiency or of any other host defense defects reported to be associated with that disease (e.g., iatrogenic immunosuppression).

acute radiation syndrome a syndrome caused by exposure to a whole body dose of over 1 gray of ionizing radiation; symptoms, whose severity and time of onset depend on the size of the dose, include erythema, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, petechiae, bleeding from the mucous membranes, hematologic changes, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, epilation, hypotension, tachycardia, and dehydration; death may occur within hours or weeks of exposure.

acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) fulminant pulmonary interstitial and alveolar edema, which usually develops within a few days after the initiating trauma, thought to result from alveolar injury that has led to increased capillary permeability.

acute retinal necrosis syndrome necrotizing retinitis with uveitis and other retinal pathology, severe loss of vision, and often retinal detachment; of viral etiology.

Adams-Stokes syndrome episodic cardiac arrest and syncope due to failure of normal and escape pacemakers, with or without ventricular fibrillation; the principal manifestation of severe heart attack.

addisonian syndrome the complex of symptoms resulting from adrenocortical insufficiency; see Addison's disease, under disease.

anorexia-cachexia syndrome a systemic response to cancer occurring as a result of a poorly understood relationship between anorexia and cachexia, manifested by malnutrition, weight loss, muscular weakness, acidosis, and toxemia.

anterior interosseous syndrome a complex of symptoms caused by a lesion of the anterior interosseous nerve, usually resulting from a fracture or laceration.

anterior spinal artery syndrome localized injury to the anterior portion of the spinal cord, characterized by complete paralysis and hypalgesia and hypesthesia to the level of the lesion, but with relative preservation of posterior column sensations of touch, position, and vibration.

Apert's syndromeacrocephalosyndactyly, type I; an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by acrocephaly and syndactyly, often with other skeletal deformities and mental retardation.

Asherman's syndrome persistent amenorrhea and secondary sterility due to intrauterine adhesions and synechiae, usually as a result of uterine curettage.

Asperger's syndrome a pervasive developmental disorder resembling autistic disorder, being characterized by severe impairment of social interactions and by restricted interests and behaviors; however, patients are not delayed in development of language, cognitive function, and self-help skills.

Barrett's syndrome peptic ulcer of the lower esophagus, often with stricture, due to the presence of columnar-lined epithelium, which may contain functional mucous cells, parietal cells, or chief cells, in the esophagus instead of normal squamous cell epithelium.

Bartter syndrome a hereditary form of hyperaldosteronism secondary to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular cells, with normal blood pressure and hypokalemic alkalosis in the absence of edema, increased concentration of renin, angiotensin II, and bradykinin; usually occurring in children.

basal cell nevus syndrome an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by the development in early life of numerous basal cell carcinomas, in association with abnormalities of the skin, bone, nervous system, eyes, and reproductive tract.

battered-child syndrome multiple traumatic lesions of the bones and soft tissues of children, often accompanied by subdural hematomas, willfully inflicted by an adult.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome an inherited disorder characterized by exomphalos, macroglossia, and gigantism, often associated with visceromegaly, adrenocortical cytomegaly, and dysplasia of the renal medulla.

Behçet's syndrome severe uveitis and retinal vasculitis, optic atrophy, and aphtha-like lesions of the mouth and genitalia, often with other signs and symptoms suggesting a diffuse vasculitis; it most often affects young males.

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome an inherited disorder of proliferation of ectodermal and mesodermal components of the pilar system, occurring as multiple trichodiscomas, acrochordons, and fibrofolliculomas on the head, chest, back, and upper limbs.

central cord syndrome injury to the central part of the cervical spinal cord resulting in disproportionately more weakness or paralysis in the upper limbs than in the lower; pathological change is caused by hemorrhage or edema.

cerebrohepatorenal syndrome a hereditary disorder, transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait, characterized by craniofacial abnormalities, hypotonia, hepatomegaly, polycystic kidneys, jaundice, and death in early infancy.

Chinese restaurant syndrome transient arterial dilatation due to ingestion of monosodium glutamate, which is sometimes used liberally in seasoning Chinese food, marked by throbbing head, lightheadedness, tightness of the jaw, neck, and shoulders, and backache.

Chotzen's syndromeacrocephalosyndactyly, type III; an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by acrocephaly and syndactyly in which the latter is mild and by hypertelorism, ptosis, and sometimes mental retardation.

chronic fatigue syndrome persistent debilitating fatigue of recent onset, with greatly reduced physical activity and some combination of muscle weakness, sore throat, mild fever, tender lymph nodes, headaches, and depression, not attributable to any other known causes; it is of controversial etiology.

Churg-Strauss syndrome allergic granulomatous angiitis; a systemic form of necrotizing vasculitis in which there is prominent lung involvement.

compartmental syndrome a condition in which increased tissue pressure in a confined anatomic space causes decreased blood flow leading to ischemia and dysfunction of contained myoneural elements, marked by pain, muscle weakness, sensory loss, and palpable tenseness in the involved compartment; ischemia can lead to necrosis resulting in permanent impairment of function.

congenital rubella syndrome transplacental infection of the fetus with rubella, usually in the first trimester of pregnancy, as a consequence of maternal infection, resulting in various developmental anomalies in the newborn infant.

cri du chat syndrome a hereditary congenital syndrome characterized by hypertelorism, microcephaly, severe mental deficiency, and a plaintive catlike cry, due to deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5.

Crigler-Najjar syndrome an autosomal recessive form of nonhemolytic jaundice due to absence of the hepatic enzyme glucuronide transferase, marked by excessive amounts of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood, kernicterus, and severe central nervous system disorders.

syndrome of crocodile tears spontaneous lacrimation occurring parallel with the normal salivation of eating, and associated with facial paralysis; it seems to be due to straying of regenerating nerve fibers, some of those destined for the salivary glands going to the lacrimal glands.

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome familial polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract associated with ectodermal defects such as alopecia and onychodystrophy.

crush syndrome the edema, oliguria, and other symptoms of renal failure that follow crushing of a part, especially a large muscle mass; see lower nephron nephrosis, under nephrosis.

Cruveilhier-Baumgarten syndromecirrhosis with portal hypertension associated with congenital patency of the umbilical and paraumbilical veins.

Cushing's syndrome a condition, more commonly seen in females, due to hyperadrenocorticism resulting from neoplasms of the adrenal cortex or anterior lobe of the pituitary; or to prolonged excessive intake of glucocorticoids for therapeutic purposes (iatrogenic Cushing's s. or Cushing's s. medicamentosus). The symptoms may include adiposity of the face, neck, and trunk, kyphosis caused by softening of the spine, amenorrhea, hypertrichosis (in females), impotence (in males), dusky complexion with purple markings, hypertension, polycythemia, pain in the abdomen and back, and muscular weakness.

de Lange's syndrome a congenital syndrome of mental retardation, short stature (Amsterdam dwarf), flat spadelike hands, and other anomalies.

dialysis dysequilibrium syndrome symptoms such as headache, nausea, muscle cramps, nervous irritability, drowsiness, and convulsions during or after overly rapid hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, resulting from an osmotic shift of water into the brain.

disconnection syndrome any neurologic disorder caused by an interruption in impulse transmission along cerebral fiber pathways.

Down syndrome mongoloid features, short phalanges, widened space between the first and second toes and fingers, and moderate to severe mental retardation; associated with a chromosomal abnormality, usually trisomy of chromosome 21.

Drash syndrome an inherited syndrome of Wilms' tumor with glomerulopathy and male pseudohermaphroditism.

Dubin-Johnson syndrome hereditary chronic nonhemolytic jaundice thought to be due to defective excretion of conjugated bilirubin and certain other organic anions by the liver; a brown, coarsely granular pigment in hepatic cells is pathognomonic.

dumping syndrome nausea, weakness, sweating, palpitation, syncope, often a sensation of warmth, and sometimes diarrhea, occurring after ingestion of food in patients who have undergone partial gastrectomy.

dyscontrol syndrome a pattern of episodic abnormal and often violent and uncontrollable social behavior with little or no provocation; it may have an organic cause or be associated with abuse of a psychoactive substance.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome a group of inherited disorders of connective tissue, varying in clinical and biochemical evidence, in mode of inheritance, and in severity from mild to lethal; major manifestations include hyperextensible skin and joints, easy bruisability, friability of tissues, bleeding, poor wound healing, subcutaneous nodules, and cardiovascular, orthopedic, intestinal, and ocular defects.

Eisenmenger's syndrome ventricular septal defect with pulmonary hypertension and cyanosis due to right-to-left (reversed) shunt of blood. Sometimes defined as pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary vascular disease) and cyanosis with the shunt being at the atrial, ventricular, or great vessel area.

extrapyramidal syndrome any of a group of clinical disorders considered to be due to malfunction in the extrapyramidal system and marked by abnormal involuntary movements; included are parkinsonism, athetosis, and chorea.

1. a rare hereditary disorder, transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait, characterized by pancytopenia, hypoplasia of the bone marrow, and patchy brown discoloration of the skin due to the deposition of melanin, and associated with multiple congenital anomalies of the musculoskeletal and genitourinary systems.

2. a general term for a group of diseases marked by dysfunction of the proximal renal tubules, with generalized hyperaminoaciduria, renal glycosuria, hyperphosphaturia, and bicarbonate and water loss; the most common cause is cystinosis, but it is also associated with other genetic diseases and occurs in idiopathic and acquired forms.

Felty's syndrome a syndrome of splenomegaly with chronic rheumatoid arthritis and leukopenia; there are usually pigmented spots on the skin of the lower extremities, and sometimes there is other evidence of hypersplenism such as anemia or thrombocytopenia.

fetal alcohol syndrome a syndrome of altered prenatal growth and morphogenesis, occurring in infants born of women who were chronically alcoholic during pregnancy; it includes maxillary hypoplasia, prominence of the forehead and mandible, short palpebral fissures, microophthalmia, epicanthal folds, severe growth retardation, mental retardation, and microcephaly.

fetal hydantoin syndrome poor growth and development with craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities, produced by prenatal exposure to hydantoin analogues, including phenytoin.

floppy infant syndrome abnormal posture in an infant suspended prone, the limbs and head hanging down; due to any of numerous conditions, particularly perinatal injury to the brain or spinal cord, spinal muscular atrophy, and various genetic disorders.

Foix-Alajouanine syndrome a fatal necrotizing myelopathy characterized by necrosis of the gray matter of the spinal cord, thickening of the walls of the spinal vessels, and abnormal spinal fluid.

Franceschetti syndrome the complete form of mandibulofacial dysostosis.

gay bowel syndrome an assortment of sexually transmitted bowel and rectal diseases affecting homosexual males and others who engage in anal intercourse, caused by a wide variety of infectious agents.

general adaptation syndrome the total of all nonspecific reactions of the body to prolonged systemic stress, comprising alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Gerstmann-Sträussler syndrome , Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome a group of rare prion diseases of autosomal dominant inheritance, having the common characteristics of cognitive and motor disturbances, ending in death, and the presence of multicentric amyloid plaques in the brain.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome monomorphous, usually nonpruritic, dusky or coppery red, flat-topped, firm papules forming a symmetrical eruption on the face, buttocks, and limbs, including the palms and soles, with malaise and low-grade fever; seen in young children and associated with viral infection.

Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome a childhood-onset syndrome comprising both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics, often associated with obsessions, compulsions, hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsivity; it may diminish or even remit in adolescence or adulthood.

Goodpasture's syndrome glomerulonephritis with pulmonary hemorrhage and circulating antibodies against basement membranes, usually seen in young men and with a course of rapidly progressing renal failure, with hemoptysis, pulmonary infiltrates, and dyspnea.

Gradenigo's syndrome sixth nerve palsy and unilateral headache in suppurative disease of the middle ear, due to involvement of the abducens and trigeminal nerves by direct spread of the infection.

gray syndrome a potentially fatal condition seen in neonates, particularly premature infants, due to a reaction to chloramphenicol, characterized by an ashen gray cyanosis, listlessness, weakness, and hypotension.

Helweg-Larsen's syndrome an inherited syndrome of anhidrosis present from birth and labyrinthitis occurring late in life.

hemolytic uremic syndrome a form of thrombotic microangiopathy with renal failure, hemolytic anemia, and severe thrombocytopenia and purpura.

Herrmann's syndrome an inherited syndrome initially characterized by photomyogenic seizures and progressive deafness, with later development of diabetes mellitus, nephropathy, and mental deterioration.

Horner syndrome , Horner-Bernard syndrome sinking in of the eyeball, ptosis of the upper lid, slight elevation of the lower lid, miosis, narrowing of the palpebral fissure, and anhidrosis and flushing of the affected side of the face; due to a brain stem lesion on the ipsilateral side that interrupts descending sympathetic nerves.

hypereosinophilic syndrome any of several diseases characterized by a massive increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood and bone marrow, with infiltration of other organs. Symptoms vary from mild to the often fatal outcome of eosinophilic leukemia.

hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria syndrome an inherited disorder characterized by elevated levels of ornithine, postprandial hyperammonemia and homocitrullinuria, and aversion to protein ingestion; believed to result from a defect in the transport of ornithine into the mitochondria, which disturbs the cycle of ureagenesis.

hyperventilation syndrome a complex of symptoms that accompany hypocapnia caused by hyperventilation, including palpitations, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or giddiness, profuse perspiration, tingling sensations in the fingertips, face, or toes, and vasomotor collapse and loss of consciousness if prolonged.

hypoplastic left heart syndrome congenital hypoplasia or atresia of the left ventricle, aortic or mitral valve, and ascending aorta, with respiratory distress, cardiac failure, and death in infancy.

impingement syndrome progressive pathologic changes resulting from the impingement of the acromion, coracoacromial ligament, coracoid process, or acromioclavicular joint on the rotator cuff.

Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome intercapillary glomerulosclerosis in which the lesions are nodular.

King syndrome a form of malignant hyperthermia accompanied by characteristic physical abnormalities.

Klinefelter's syndrome smallness of testes with fibrosis and hyalinization of seminiferous tubules, variable degrees of masculinization, azoospermia, and infertility, and increased urinary gonadotropins. It is associated typically with an XXY chromosome complement although variants include XXYY, XXXY, XXXXY, and various mosaic patterns.

Klippel-Feil syndrome shortness of the neck due to reduction in the number of cervical vertebrae or the fusion of multiple hemivertebrae into one osseous mass, with limitation of neck motion and low hairline.

Korsakoff's syndrome a syndrome of anterograde and retrograde amnesia with confabulation associated with alcoholic or nonalcoholic polyneuritis, currently used synonymously with the term amnestic syndrome or, more narrowly, to refer to the amnestic component of the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Kugelberg-Welander syndrome an inherited juvenile form of muscular atrophy due to lesions on the anterior horns of the spinal cord, beginning with the proximal muscles of the lower limbs and pelvic girdle and progressing to the distal muscles.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome a familial syndrome of early breast carcinoma associated with soft tissue sarcomas and other tumors.

locked-in syndrome quadriplegia and mutism with intact consciousness and preservation of some eye movements; usually due to a vascular lesion of the anterior pons.

long QT syndrome prolongation of the Q–T interval combined with torsades de pointes and manifest in several forms, either acquired or congenital, the latter with or without deafness; it may lead to serious arrhythmia and sudden death.

malabsorption syndrome a group of disorders marked by subnormal absorption of dietary constituents, and thus excessive loss of nutrients in the stool, which may be due to a digestive defect, a mucosal abnormality, or lymphatic obstruction.

maternal deprivation syndrome failure to thrive with severe growth retardation, unresponsiveness to the environment, depression, retarded mental and emotional development, and behavioral problems resulting from loss, absence, or neglect of the mother or other primary caregiver.

Meckel's syndrome an autosomal recessive syndrome, with sloping forehead, posterior meningoencephalocele, polydactyly, polycystic kidneys, and death in the perinatal period.

meconium aspiration syndrome the respiratory complications resulting from the passage and aspiration of meconium prior to or during delivery.

median cleft facial syndrome a hereditary form of defective midline development of the head and face, including ocular hypertelorism, occult cleft nose and maxilla, and sometimes mental retardation or other defects.

methionine malabsorption syndrome an inborn aminoacidopathy marked by white hair, mental retardation, convulsions, attacks of hyperpnea, and urine with an odor like an oasthouse (for drying hops) due to alpha-hydroxybutyric acid formed by bacterial action on the unabsorbed methionine.

middle lobe syndrome lobar atelectasis in the right middle lobe of the lung, with chronic pneumonitis.

Mikulicz's syndrome chronic bilateral hypertrophy of the lacrimal, parotid, and salivary glands, associated with chronic lymphocytic infiltration; it may be associated with other diseases.

milk-alkali syndrome hypercalcemia without hypercalciuria or hypophosphatemia and with only mild alkalosis and other symptoms attributed to ingestion of milk and absorbable alkali for long periods.

Milkman syndrome a generalized bone disease marked by multiple transparent stripes of absorption in the long and flat bones.

mitral valve prolapse syndrome prolapse of the mitral valve, often with regurgitation; a common, usually benign, often asymptomatic condition characterized by midsystolic clicks and late systolic murmurs on auscultation.

Möbius' syndrome agenesis or aplasia of cranial nerve motor nuclei in congenital bilateral facial palsy, with unilateral or bilateral paralysis of abductors of the eye and sometimes cranial nerve involvement and limb anomalies.

myelodysplastic syndrome any of a group of related bone marrow disorders of varying duration preceding the development of overt acute myelogenous leukemia; characterized by abnormal hematopoietic stem cells, anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.

Nelson's syndrome the development of an ACTH-producing pituitary tumor after bilateral adrenalectomy in Cushing's syndrome; it is characterized by aggressive growth of the tumor and hyperpigmentation of the skin.

nephrotic syndrome any of a group of diseases involving defective kidney glomeruli, with massive proteinuria, lipiduria with edema, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperlipidemia.

Opitz syndrome , Opitz-Frias syndrome a familial syndrome consisting of hypertelorism and hernias, and in males also characterized by hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and bifid scrotum. Cardiac, laryngotracheal, pulmonary, anal, and renal abnormalities may also be present.

oral-facial-digital syndrome any of a group of congenital syndromes characterized by oral, facial, and digital anomalies. Type I, a male-lethal X-linked dominant disorder, is characterized by camptodactyly, polydactyly, and syndactyly; by cranial, facial, lingual, and dental anomalies; and by mental retardation, familial trembling, alopecia, and seborrhea of the face and milia; type II is Mohr s.; type III, an autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by postaxial hexadactyly, by ocular, lingual, and dental anomalies, and by profound mental retardation.

orbital floor syndrome exophthalmos, diplopia, and anesthesia in the areas innervated by the trigeminal nerve, occurring with a lesion in the floor of the orbit.

organic anxiety syndrome a term used in a former system of classification, denoting an organic mental syndrome marked by prominent, recurrent panic attacks or generalized anxiety caused by a specific organic factor and not associated with delirium.

organic delusional syndrome a term used in a former system of classification, denoting an organic mental syndrome marked by delusions caused by a specific organic factor and not associated with delirium.

organic mental syndrome former term for a constellation of psychological or behavioral signs and symptoms associated with brain dysfunction of unknown or unspecified etiology and grouped according to symptoms rather than etiology. See also under disorder.

organic mood syndrome a term used in a former system of classification, denoting an organic mental syndrome marked by manic or depressive mood disturbance caused by a specific organic factor and not associated with delirium.

organic personality syndrome a term used in a former system of classification, denoting an organic mental syndrome characterized by a marked change in behavior or personality, caused by a specific organic factor and not associated with delirium or dementia.

Ortner syndrome laryngeal paralysis associated with heart disease, due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve between the aorta and a dilated pulmonary artery.

ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome mild to severe ovarian enlargement with exudation of fluid and protein, leading to ascites, pleural or pericardial effusion, azotemia, oliguria, and thromboembolism in women undergoing ovulation induction.

ovarian vein syndrome obstruction of the ureter due to compression by an enlarged or varicose ovarian vein; typically the vein becomes enlarged during pregnancy.

overlap syndrome any of a group of connective tissue disorders that either combine scleroderma with polymyositis or systemic lupus erythematosus or combine systemic lupus erythematosus with rheumatoid arthritis or polymyositis.

pacemaker syndrome vertigo, syncope, and hypotension, often accompanied by dyspnea, cough, nausea, peripheral edema, and palpitations, all exacerbated or caused by pacemakers that stimulate the ventricle and therefore do not maintain normal atrioventricular synchrony.

pacemaker twiddler's syndrome twiddler's syndrome in a patient with an artificial cardiac pacemaker.

painful bruising syndrome occurrence of one or more spontaneous, chronic recurring painful ecchymoses without antecedent trauma or after insufficient trauma; sometimes precipitated by emotional stress. Because certain patients exhibit autoerythrocyte sensitization in which intradermal injection of their own erythrocytes produces a painful ecchymosis, some consider the condition to be an autosensitivity to a component of the erythrocyte membrane; others consider it to be of psychosomatic or factitious origin.

Pancoast's syndrome

1. neuritic pain and muscle atrophy in the upper limb, and Horner's syndrome, seen with a tumor near the apex of the lung when it involves the brachial plexus.

2. osteolysis in the posterior part of a rib or ribs, sometimes spreading to adjacent vertebrae.

paraneoplastic syndrome a symptom complex arising in a cancer-bearing patient that cannot be explained by local or distant spread of the tumor.

Parinaud's syndrome paralysis of conjugate upward movement of the eyes without paralysis of convergence; associated with tumors of the midbrain.

Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome a general term applied to conjunctivitis, usually unilateral and of the follicular type, followed by tenderness and enlargement of the preauricular lymph nodes; often due to leptotrichosis but may be associated with other infections.

parkinsonian syndrome a form of parkinsonism due to idiopathic degeneration of the corpus striatum or substantia nigra; frequently a sequela of lethargic encephalitis.

persistent müllerian duct syndrome a hereditary syndrome in males of persistence of müllerian structures in addition to male genital ducts. There may be cryptorchidism on just one side with a contralateral inguinal hernia that contains a testis, uterus, and uterine tube (hernia uteri inguinalis).

polyangiitis overlap syndrome a form of systemic necrotizing vasculitis resembling polyarteritis nodosa and allergic angiitis but also showing features of hypersensitivity vasculitis.

polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) a clinical symptom complex associated with polycystic ovaries and characterized by oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, anovulation (hence infertility), and hirsutism; both hyperestrogenism and hyperandrogenism are present.

polysplenia syndrome a congenital syndrome of multiple splenic masses, abnormal position and development of visceral organs, complex cardiovascular defects, and abnormal, usually bilobate, lungs.

post–cardiac injury syndrome fever, chest pain, pleuritis, and pericarditis weeks after injury to the heart, including that due to surgery (postpericardiotomy s.) and that due to myocardial infarction (post) .

post–lumbar puncture syndrome headache in the erect posture, sometimes with nuchal pain, vomiting, diaphoresis, and malaise, all relieved by recumbency, occurring several hours after lumbar puncture; it is due to lowering of intracranial pressure by leakage of cerebrospinal fluid through the needle tract.

postmaturity syndrome a syndrome due to placental insufficiency that causes chronic stress and hypoxia, seen in fetuses and neonates in postterm pregnancies, characterized by decreased subcutaneous fat, skin desquamation, and long fingernails, often with yellow meconium staining of the nails, skin, and vernix.

preexcitation syndrome any syndrome with electrocardiographic signs of preexcitation, such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; sometimes used synonymously with it.

premenstrual syndrome some or all of the symptoms of depressed, anxious, angry, or irritable mood, emotional lability, bloating, edema, headache, increased fatigue or lethargy, altered appetite or food cravings, breast swelling and tenderness, constipation, and decreased ability to concentrate occurring in the period between ovulation and the onset of menstruation.

1. geniculate neuralgia; facial paralysis with otalgia and a vesicular eruption in the external canal of the ear, sometimes extending to the auricle, due to herpes zoster virus infection of the geniculate ganglion.

respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn a condition seen in infants born prematurely, by cesarean section, or to diabetic mothers, marked by dyspnea and cyanosis; a common, usually fatal subtype is hyaline membrane disease.

Reye's syndrome a rare often fatal encephalopathy of childhood, marked by acute brain swelling with hypoglycemia, fatty infiltration of the liver, hepatomegaly, and disturbed consciousness and seizures, usually seen as a sequel of varicella or an upper airway viral infection.

salt-depletion syndrome , salt-losing syndrome vomiting, dehydration, hypotension, and sudden death due to very large sodium losses from the body. It may be seen in abnormal losses of sodium into the urine (as in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenocortical insufficiency, or one of the forms of salt-losing nephritis) or in large extrarenal sodium losses, usually from the gastrointestinal tract.

Sanfilippo's syndrome four biochemically distinct but clinically indistinguishable forms of mucopolysaccharidosis, characterized by urinary excretion of heparan sulfate, rapid mental deterioration, and mild Hurler-like symptoms, with death usually occurring before 20 years of age.

scalenus syndrome , scalenus anticus syndrome a type of thoracic outlet syndrome due to compression of the nerves and vessels between a cervical rib and the scalenus anticus muscle, with pain over the shoulder, often extending down the arm or radiating up the back.

second impact syndrome acute, usually fatal, brain swelling and increased cranial pressure, caused by repeated head trauma in a short space of time, so that a second concussion occurs before recovery from a previous concussion is complete.

Sertoli-cell–only syndrome congenital absence of the germinal epithelium of the testes, the seminiferous tubules containing only Sertoli cells, marked by testes slightly smaller than normal, azoospermia, and elevated titers of follicle-stimulating hormone and sometimes of luteinizing hormone.

severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) an infectious respiratory illness characterized by fever, dry cough, and breathing difficulties, often accompanied by headache and body aches; believed to be caused by a coronavirus.

short-bowel syndrome , short-gut syndrome any of the malabsorption conditions resulting from massive resection of the small bowel, the degree and kind of malabsorption depending on the site and extent of the resection; it is characterized by diarrhea, steatorrhea, and malnutrition.

sick sinus syndrome intermittent bradycardia, sometimes with episodes of atrial tachyarrhythmias or periods of sinus arrest, due to malfunction originating in the supraventricular portion of the cardiac conducting system.

Silver-Russell syndrome a syndrome of low birth weight despite normal gestation duration, and short stature, lateral asymmetry, and some increase in gonadotropin secretion.

Sjögren's syndrome a symptom complex usually in middle-aged or older women, marked by keratoconjunctivitis sicca, xerostomia, and enlargement of the parotid glands; it is often associated with rheumatoid arthritis and sometimes with systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or polymyositis.

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome an autosomal recessive syndrome of microcephaly, mental retardation, hypotonia, incomplete development of male genitalia, short nose with anteverted nostrils, and syndactyly of second and third toes.

social breakdown syndrome deterioration of social and interpersonal skills, work habits, and behavior seen in chronically hospitalized psychiatric patients; due to the effects of long-term institutionalization rather than the primary illness.

staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome an infectious disease, usually affecting infants and young children, following infection with certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus, characterized by localized to widespread bullous eruption and exfoliation of the skin leaving raw, denuded areas that make the skin look scalded.

stasis syndrome overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine secondary to various disorders causing stasis; it is characterized by malabsorption of vitamin B12, steatorrhea, and anemia.

Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome a progressive neurological disorder with onset during the sixth decade, characterized by supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, especially paralysis of the downward gaze, pseudobulbar palsy, dysarthria, dystonic rigidity of the neck and trunk, and dementia.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome a sometimes fatal form of erythema multiforme presenting with a flulike prodrome and characterized by severe mucocutaneous lesions; pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiac, and renal involvement may occur.

Stewart-Treves syndrome lymphangiosarcoma occurring as a late complication of severe lymphedema of the arm after excision of the lymph nodes, usually in radical mastectomy.

stiff-man syndrome a condition of unknown etiology marked by progressive fluctuating rigidity of axial and limb muscles in the absence of signs of cerebral and spinal cord disease but with continuous electromyographic activity.

stroke syndromestroke; a condition with sudden onset due to acute vascular lesions of the brain (hemorrhage, embolism, thrombosis, rupturing aneurysm), which may be marked by hemiplegia or hemiparesis, vertigo, numbness, aphasia, and dysarthria, and often followed by permanent neurologic damage.

Sturge's syndrome , Sturge-Kalischer-Weber syndrome, Sturge-Weber syndrome a congenital syndrome consisting of a port-wine stain type of nevus flammeus distributed over the trigeminal nerve accompanied by a similar vascular disorder of the underlying meninges and cerebral cortex.

tarsal tunnel syndrome a complex of symptoms resulting from compression of the posterior tibial nerve or of the plantar nerves in the tarsal tunnel, with pain, numbness, and tingling paresthesia of the sole of the foot.

Taussig-Bing syndrome transposition of the great vessels of the heart and a ventricular septal defect straddled by a large pulmonary artery.

thoracic outlet syndrome any of several neurovascular syndromes due to compression of the brachial plexus nerve trunks, with pain, paresthesias, vasomotor symptoms, and weakness and small muscle wasting in upper limbs; causes include drooping shoulder girdle, a cervical rib or fibrous band, an abnormal first rib, limb hyperabduction (as during sleep), or compression of the edge of the scalenus anterior muscle.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome unilateral ophthalmoplegia associated with pain behind the orbit and in the area supplied by the first division of the trigeminal nerve; it is thought to be due to nonspecific inflammation and granulation tissue in the superior orbital fissure or cavernous sinus.

TORCH syndrome (t oxoplasmosis, o ther agents, r ubella, c ytomegalovirus, h erpes simplex) any of a group of infections seen in neonates as a result of the infectious agent having crossed the placental barrier.

toxic shock syndrome a severe illness with sudden high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and myalgia, followed by hypotension and, in severe cases, shock; a sunburn-like rash with skin peeling, especially on palms and soles, occurs during the acute phase. It primarily affects menstruating women using tampons, although a few women not using tampons and a few males have been affected. It is thought to be caused by infection with Staphylococcus aureus.

Treacher Collins syndrome the incomplete form of mandibulofacial dysostosis.

trisomy 11q syndrome a variable syndrome due to an extra long arm of chromosome 11, possibly including preauricular fistulas, hypoplasia of the gallbladder, micropenis, bicornuate uterus, microphthalmos, malformations of the heart, lungs, and brain, seizures, and recurrent infection.

trisomy 13 syndrome holoprosencephaly due to an extra chromosome 13, in which central nervous system defects are associated with mental retardation, along with cleft lip and palate, polydactyly, and dermal pattern anomalies, and abnormalities of the heart, viscera, and genitalia.

twiddler's syndrome dislodgement, breakdown, or other malfunction of an implanted diagnostic device as a result of unconscious or habitual manipulation by the patient.

twin transfusion syndrome , twin–twin transfusion syndrome one caused by twin-to-twin transfusion (q.v.); the donor twin is small, pale, and anemic, while the recipient is large and polycythemic, with an overloaded cardiovascular system.

urethral syndrome symptoms associated with a urethral problem other than infection, including suprapubic aching and cramping, urinary frequency, and bladder complaints such as dysuria, tenesmus, and low back pain.

Usher's syndrome an inherited syndrome of congenital deafness with retinitis pigmentosa, often ending in blindness; mental retardation and gait disturbances may also occur.

velocardiofacial syndrome an inherited syndrome of cardiac defects and craniofacial anomalies, often with abnormalities of chromosome 22; learning disabilities often occur, and less often other abnormalities.

Vernet's syndrome paralysis of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and spinal accessory nerves due to a lesion in the region of the jugular foramen.

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome the malignant or fulminating form of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, with sudden onset, short course, fever, collapse, coma, cyanosis, petechiae on the skin and mucous membranes, and bilateral adrenal hemorrhage.

Weber's syndrome paralysis of the oculomotor nerve on the same side as the lesion, causing ptosis, strabismus, and loss of light reflex and accommodation; also spastic hemiplegia on the side opposite the lesion with increased reflexes and loss of superficial reflexes.

Weil's syndrome a severe form of leptospirosis, marked by jaundice usually accompanied by azotemia, hemorrhage, anemia, disturbances of consciousness, and continued fever.

Werner's syndrome premature aging of an adult, with early graying and some hair loss, cataracts, hyperkeratinization, muscular atrophy, scleroderma-like changes in the skin of the limbs, and a high incidence of neoplasm.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome a neuropsychiatric disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, most often due to alcohol abuse, combining the features of Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's syndrome.

whiplash shake syndrome subdural hematomas, retinal hemorrhage, and sometimes cerebral contusions caused by the stretching and tearing of cerebral vessels and brain substance, sometimes seen when a very young child is shaken vigorously by the limbs or trunk with the head unsupported; paralysis, visual disturbances, blindness, convulsions, and death may result.

Wilson-Mikity syndrome a rare form of pulmonary insufficiency in low-birth-weight infants, with hyperpnea and cyanosis during the first month of life, sometimes ending in death; there are also radiologic abnormalities.

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome a syndrome due to partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4, with microcephaly, ocular hypertelorism, epicanthus, cleft palate, micrognathia, low-set ears simplified in form, cryptorchidism, and hypospadias.

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome the association of paroxysmal tachycardia (or atrial fibrillation) and preexcitation, in which the electrocardiogram displays a short P–R interval and a wide QRS complex which characteristically shows an early QRS vector (delta wave).

Wyburn-Mason's syndrome arteriovenous aneurysms on one or both sides of the brain, with ocular anomalies, facial nevi, and sometimes mental retardation.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome the association of atypical, intractable, sometimes fulminating, peptic ulcers with extreme gastric hyperacidity and benign or malignant gastrinomas in the pancreas.

syndrome

(sĭn′drōm′)

n.

1. A group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, disorder, or other condition considered abnormal.

2.

a. A complex of symptoms indicating the existence of an undesirable condition or quality: suffers from fear-of-success syndrome.

b. A distinctive or characteristic pattern of behavior: the syndrome of conspicuous consumption in wealthy suburbs.

3. A group of anatomical and often physiological characteristics of an organism that serve a specific function and are presumed to have evolved together: the angiosperm reproductive syndrome.

syn·drom′ic(-drō′mĭk, -drŏm′ĭk) adj.

syndrome

[sin′drəm]

Etymology: Gk, syn, together, dromos, course

a complex of signs and symptoms resulting from a common cause or appearing, in combination, to present a clinical picture of a disease or inherited abnormality. See also specific syndromes. Also called symptom complex.

syn·drome

(sin'drōm)

The combination of signs and symptoms associated with a particular morbid process, which together constitute the picture of a disease or inherited anomaly. See also: disease

syndrome

A unique combination of sometimes apparently unrelated symptoms or signs, forming a distinct clinical entity. Often the elements of a syndrome are merely distinct effects of a common cause, but sometimes the relationship is one of observed association and the causal link is not yet understood. Originally, the term was applied only to entities of unknown cause but many syndromes have now been elucidated and their names retained because of familiarity. From the Greek syn , together, and dromos , a course or race.

syndrome

Syndrome

Common features of a disease or features that appear together often enough to suggest they may represent a single, as yet unknown, disease entity. When a syndrome is first identified, an attempt is made to define it as strictly as possible, even to the exclusion of some cases, in order to separate out a pure enough sample to study. This process is most likely to identify a cause, a positive method of diagnosis, and a treatment. Later on, less typical cases can be considered.

constrictive band syndrome intrauterine development of deep, tight, circumferential folds around leg/foot, and compromised limb development distal to band (e.g. autoamputation; marked oedema of distal tissues); thought to relate to strands of amniotic membrane enwrapping the developing limb

'second-class travel' syndrome pulmonary thromboembolism due to prolonged periods of inactivity, e.g. passengers (who have been static for > 4 hours during long-haul intercontinental air flights) develop deep-vein thrombosis; the clot detaches, passing through venous circulation and heart, to block the pulmonary artery; characterized by sudden collapse and death; passengers on long-haul flights are advised to undertake leg muscle exercises regularly throughout the duration of the flight, wear 'antithrombotic' elasticated hosiery and consider medication with aspirin in the weeks before long-haul flight

sinus tarsi syndrome sensation of unsteadiness when walking on gravel/uneven ground and ongoing pain in lateral tarsal area just distal to and level with lateral malleolus, subsequent to inversion sprain/excess rearfoot pronation (e.g. as in rearfoot rheumatoid arthritis); local symptoms are exacerbated by heel inversion/eversion; treated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local immobilization, orthoses or steroid injection

talar compression syndrome posterior ankle pain when foot is maximally plantarflexed at ankle joint; due to compression of posterior tubercle of talus on posterior margin of distal end of tibia; note: similar condition occurs with os trigonum, which impinges on posteroinferior margin of tibia (seeTable 9)

Note: BFJHS is diagnosed in the presence of two major criteria, or one major and two minor criteria, or four minor criteria (adapted from Grahame R, Bird HA, Child A, Dolan AL, Fowler-Edwards A, Ferrell W, Gurley-Green S, Keer R, Mansi E, Murray K, Smith E. The British Society Special Interest Group on Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue Criteria for the Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. "The Revised (Brighton 1998) Criteria for the Diagnosis of the BJHS". Journal of Rheumatology 2000; 27:1777-1779).

Table 2: Features of complex regional pain syndrome

Phase

Features

Acute phase (duration: 2-3 months)Reversible

Severe burning pain, warmth, swelling and joint stiffness within a limb: not confined to a dermatome or myotomeBone demineralizationSymptoms (exacerbated by limb dependence, contact or stress) persist for 2-3 months

Note: BFJHS is diagnosed in the presence of two major criteria, or one major and two minor criteria, or four minor criteria (adapted from Grahame R, Bird HA, Child A, Dolan AL, Fowler-Edwards A, Ferrell W, Gurley-Green S, Keer R, Mansi E, Murray K, Smith E. The British Society Special Interest Group on Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue Criteria for the Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. "The Revised (Brighton 1998) Criteria for the Diagnosis of the BJHS". Journal of Rheumatology 2000; 27:1777-1779).

Lie on a bench on the unaffected side, with the unaffected hip and knee slightly flexed, in order to maintain balance; flex the affected hip and straighten the affected knee so that the affected leg hangs off the bench; allow the iliotibial band of the affected leg to be stretched by gravitational pullLie on a bench on the affected side with the affected leg in line with the body and the hip and knee locked; flex the unaffected (upper) leg; place the hands on the bench immediately under the shoulder and push the trunk upwards as far as possible to apply stretch to the lateral area of the affected leg

Stand erect, with the affected leg behind the normal leg so that the knee of the affected leg rests on the posterior aspect of the non-affected knee; rotate the trunk (on transverse plane) away from the affected leg and attempt to touch the heel of the affected leg

Lie on a bench on the unaffected side, with the unaffected hip and knee slightly flexed, in order to maintain balance; flex the affected hip and straighten the affected knee so that the affected leg hangs off the bench; allow the iliotibial band of the affected leg to be stretched by gravitational pullLie on a bench on the affected side with the affected leg in line with the body and the hip and knee locked; flex the unaffected (upper) leg; place the hands on the bench immediately under the shoulder and push the trunk upwards as far as possible to apply stretch to the lateral area of the affected leg

Stand erect, with the affected leg behind the normal leg so that the knee of the affected leg rests on the posterior aspect of the non-affected knee; rotate the trunk (on transverse plane) away from the affected leg and attempt to touch the heel of the affected leg

syndrome,

n a set of disparate signs and symptoms that are not traceable to a single cause.

syndrome shift,

n a change to a different set of symptoms than the previous set. This change can result from treatment or be a natural progression of the illness. In homeopathic terms the shift can also be from one level to another, such as from mental to physical. See also symptoms, alternating; direction of cure; illness, layers of; illness, levels of; metastasis; suppression; and vicariation.

syndrome X,

n a syndrome of blood glucose dysregulation and intolerance and a disproportionate secretion of insulin. In turn, this causes the body to develop a decreased sensitivity to insulin and may cause other problems, such as hypertension, obesity, increased cholesterol, and type II diabetes.

syndrome, acquired immune deficiency,

n an infectious disease of epidemic proportions caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which impairs the body's immune system, thus resulting in opportunistic infections and cancers. It is transmitted by bodily fluids, especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles.

syndrome, bi(pē sinˑ·drōm),

n in traditional Chinese medicine, obstruction of qi and blood because of invasion of muscles, tendons, and ligaments by pathogens present in wind, cold, or dampness, thus resulting in muscle soreness and joint pain. See also qi.

syndrome, carpal tunnel,

n pain in the hands and the arms and symptoms in which the median nerve is compressed between the carpal ligament and other elements inside the carpal tunnel. Can be caused by repetitive motion, synovitis, tumor, rheumatoid arthritis, amyloidosis, acromegaly, or diabetes.

Syndrome, carpal tunnel.

syndrome, Charcot's,

n.pr a set of symptoms marked by weakness, cramps, and leg pain; caused by poor blood circulation in the leg muscles; brought on by physical effort and disappears upon resting. Also called intermittent claudication and angina cruris.

syndrome, Chediale-Higashi,

n an inherited immune system disorder due to CHS1 gene mutations; characterized by neurologic disease, decreased pigment, and chronic infections resulting in early death. Children with this disorder may have light-colored eyes; a silvery sheen to their hair; nystagmus; and recurring infections in skin, lungs, and mucous membranes.

Syndrome, Chediale-Higashi.

syndrome, chronic fatigue,

n a set of symptoms marked by incapacitating fatigue and a mixture of flulike complaints such as swollen lymph glands, sore throat, headaches, low-grade fever, and muscle weakness or pain.

syndrome, compartment,

n condition of increased pressure inside a closed chamber, usually from swelling of muscles in fascial compartments; can damage irreversibly the tissues of the chamber.

Syndrome, compartment.

syndrome, Cushing's,

n disorder caused by the presence of excessive cortisol in the body; may be induced by the administration of high doses of glucocorticoids; occurs naturally when an individual's body cannot regulate cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone. Most commonly occurs as a result of a pituitary tumor. Also called hyperadrenocorticism.

Syndrome, Cushing's.

syndrome, Down,

n congenital disorder caused by the occurrence of an additional twenty-first chromosome. The person is mild to moderately mentally retarded, short-statured, and has a compressed facial profile. Also called trisomy 21.

Syndrome, Down.

syndrome, eosinophilia-myalgia(ē·ō·si·n·fiˑ·lē·-mī·alˑ·jy sinˑ·drōm),

n a rare autoimmune condition characterized by muscle pains and increased production of eosinophils; associated with the consumption of contaminated L-tryptophan.

syndrome, fetal alcohol,

n a group of physical, emotional, and behavioral characteristics present at birth; connected to maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy.

Syndrome, fetal alcohol (FAS).

syndrome, general adaptation(genˑ·rl aˈ·dap·tāˑ·shn sinˑ·drōm),

n the physiologic response to stressors that comprises three reactions: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

n an inflammation of the nerves in the extremities; induces weakness, pain, and paralysis; often advances to the face and chest. May occur in the recovery time following a viral infection and in rare cases, after an influenza immunization. Also called acute febrile polyneuritis, acute idiopathic polyneuritis, or infectious polyneuritis.

Syndrome, Guillain-Barré.

syndrome, iliotibial band (tract),

n a condition characterized by pain and inflammation in the knee and caused by overexertion of the knee joint, usually through long-distance running. Also called iliotibial band friction syndrome.

syndrome, irritable bowel (IBS),

n abnormal condition in which the small and large intestines exhibit increased motility, resulting in diarrhea and abdominal pain. Cause is unknown; thus treatments include diet changes, antidiarrheal medication, herbs, biofeedback, antispasmodics, homeopathy, and occasionally mild tranquilizers to help the patient cope emotionally.

syndrome, layer,

n syndrome characterized by alternating layers of overactive and weak muscle groups that render an individual incapable of using specific muscles, resulting in poor movement patterns and poor muscular stability of the spine. Corrective measures include manual therapy and regular exercise.

Syndrome, layer.

syndrome, leaky-gut,

n condition in which incompletely digested nutrients enter the bloodstream where they must be broken down by the immune system. This syndrome may cause a variety of health complaints includ-ing food and respiratory allergies.

syndrome, lower crossed,

n posture characterized by increased lumbar lordosis, slightly flexed hips, and a pelvis rotated to the front. Also called pelvic crossed syndrome.

Syndrome, lower crossed.

syndrome, Marfan's,

n.pr a hereditary disorder that is present at birth and affects the connective tissue. The condition is characterized by atypical lengthening of the extremities, particularly hands, fingers and toes, in addition to problems in the eyes and circulatory system; caused by a defect in the gene that controls the production of fibrillin.

syndrome, nerve compression,

n a condition in which a nerve is trapped or compressed, thus resulting in problems with motor and/or sensory function.

n a rare disorder of the neuromuscular system that develops as a result of the piriformis muscle compressing or irritating the sciatic nerve. This can be due to injury, repetitive stress, or active trigger points located within the muscle. The pain can be described as numbness or tingling in the buttocks and down the leg. Walking, running, sitting for extended periods of time, or climbing stairs may exacerbate the pain.

syndrome, premenstrual (PMS)(preˈ·menˑ·stl sinˑ·drōm),

n a set of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms triggered by hormonal changes from which some women suffer in the 1- to 2-week period before menstruation.

syndrome, psoas(sōˑ·az sinˑ·drōm),

n painful condition of the lower back in which the psoas muscle is hypertonic.

syndrome, restless legs,

n neurological condition characterized by uncomfortable sensations, deep in the leg muscles, irresistibly urging sufferers to move their legs. Symptoms worsen at night or when at rest and are ameliorated through voluntary movement of the legs, such as walking.

syndrome, sick (closed) building,

n a set of health problems—including symptoms such as nose, eye, or throat irritation; nausea and dizziness; dry or itchy skin; headache; fatigue; sensitivity to odors; dry cough; and difficulty in concentrating—linked to the amount of time spent in specific buildings.

syndrome, Sjögren's,

n an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the glands responsible for production of saliva and tears. May cause dryness of skin, nose, and vagina and may also affect other organs—including lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, and brain. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. In extreme cases cortico-steroids may be prescribed.

syndrome, sudden infant death,

n unexpected and sudden death of a normal infant during sleep; cause is unknown.

syndrome, toxic shock,

n syndrome resulting from a serious infection with strains of Staphylococcus aureus that produce a toxin known as enterotoxin F; characterized by a sudden increase in body temperature, headache, sore throat accompanied by swelling in the mucous membranes, nausea, diarrhea, and an atypical redness of the skin. Although the condition typically occurs in menstruating women who use highly absorbent tampons, it has also been observed in men, newborns, and children.

syndrome, upper crossed,

n muscle dysfunction characterized by forward stance of the head, lengthening and elevation of the shoulders, and abduction and rounded scapulae, thus resulting in muscle weakness; corrected by massage and exercise. Also called shoulder crossed syndrome.

Syndrome, upper crossed.

syndrome, urethral(yu·rēˑ·trl sinˑ·drōmˈ),

n a condition, that primarily affects females, in which symptoms of an irritated bladder are present, often without infection. See also interstitial cystitis.

syndrome, wasting,

n a condition distinguished by a loss of weight due to diarrhea or chronic fever.

syndromes, culture bound,

n.pl culturally defined conditions that cannot necessarily be correlated with any biomedical diseases and that may be psychosomatic. Symptoms of culturally bound syndromes may be alle-viated using modern medicine, but the underlying causes can only be addressed through culturally specific and appropriate means. Also called ethnomedical illnesses.

syndromes, false-positive,

n.pl medical conditions that are falsely assessed and treated as a result of therapy. A practitioner will work extensively with a patient to assess symptoms and recommend a course of action for treatment. Within a par-ticular duration of time, many of these indications may no longer be present as a result of statistical regression, spontaneous remission, or other reasons. The patient believes that the recommended treatment was the source of the cure and returns to the practitioner for further extensive evaluation of symptoms. As before, the practitioner will prescribe a course of action for treatment. This phenomenon can lead to the development of adverse effects as the patient repeatedly visits a practitioner to seek treatment for the resolution of all symptoms assessed. The patient may become “addicted” to the treatment of these falsely classified dysfunctions. Risk is also increased because the patient may be asked to undergo treatment methods that may not be necessary for his or her condition.

syndromes, fire,

n.pl in Chinese medicine, a number of illnesses distinguished by an excess or deficiency of heat. Inflammation is a general indication, and pain, fever, redness, and swelling are noticeable symptoms. Joint pain, sore throat, colitis, night sweats, burning sensations, hot flashes, and pent-up anger are also examples.

syndromes, impingement(im·ping·mnt sinˑ·drōms),

n.pl pathologies caused by excessive pressure on blood vessels or nerves. See also entrapment.

synergist(siˑ·ner·jist),

n1., a muscle that works in cooperation with an agonist to augment its movement. 2., a treatment that when combined with others, has more than an additive effect.

syndrome

The aggregate of signs and symptoms associated with a disease, lesion, anomaly, etc.A syndromeSeeA pattern.acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) A viral disease characterized by a relentless transition from asymptomatic lymphadenopathy to a wasting condition with infections (e.g. pneumonia, toxoplasmosis) and malignancies (e.g. Kaposi's sarcoma). It has a long incubation period and a poor prognosis. It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which breaks down the immune response and is transmitted by exchange of body fluids (e.g. blood, semen) or transfused blood products. In the eye the disease may be accompanied by cotton-wool spots in the retina (the most frequent of the ocular complications), retinal haemorrhages, cytomegalovirus retinitis which is the major cause of visual loss, toxoplasmosis chorioretinitis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, papilloedema, central retinal vein occlusion (the rarest of ocular complications); limitations of eye movements and pupil abnormalities, reddish-purple nodular tumours in the eyelids and conjunctiva as part of Kaposi's sarcoma. Seeprogressive outer retinal necrosis; cytomegalovirus retinitis; viral uveitis.adherence syndrome An uncommon complication of strabismus surgery where the posterior Tenon's capsule is violated, allowing retrobulbar fat to scar and adhere to the ocular surface. The scarring produces a restriction in ocular movements and thus a form of restrictive strabismus. It can be diagnosed by a positive forced duction test and/or a restriction in ocular motility. The condition can be prevented by careful strabismus surgical technique and care not to disturb the posterior Tenon's capsule. Syn. adhesive syndrome; cicatricial syndrome.Adie's syndrome A dilated pupil in which all reactions to light are barely existent, together with the absence of tendon reflexes. It typically affects adult women. Syn. Holmes-Adie syndrome. Seeanisocoria; Adie's pupil; pupil light reflex.Aicardi's syndrome An inherited disorder seen in females, consisting of retinal, optic nerve as well as central nervous system abnormalities. Retinal findings consist of multiple, round, chorioretinal depigmented lesions. Additional abnormalities include optic nerve head colobomas, microphthalmos, agenesis of the corpus callosum, seizures and retardation.Alagille syndrome An autosomal dominant inherited disorder of the liver accompanied with abnormalities of the heart, spine and face. Ocular findings include posterior embryotoxon, hypertelorism, iris abnormalities, optic disc drusen and fundus hypopigmentation.Albright's syndrome A disorder characterized by a host of findings, including cutaneous pigmentation, precocious puberty in females, and fibrous dysplasia of the orbital bone/s, which may lead to proptosis and optic atrophy.anterior chamber cleavage syndromeSeePeter's anomaly.Andersen-Warburg syndromeSeeNorrie's disease.Anton's syndrome Bilateral blindness characterized by a lack of awareness of being blind and near normal pupil reflexes. It is due to a destruction of the cortical visual area. Seecortical blindness.Apert's syndrome Congenital craniofacial malformation due to premature fusion of the cranial sutures. Some cases are inherited as autosomal dominant and caused by mutation in the gene encoding fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2). It is characterized by an abnormally high, peaked or conically shaped head and complete or partial webbing of the fingers and toes. There is also intellectual retardation in many cases. The ocular signs include shallow orbits with prominent globes, hypertelorism, strabismus, reduced visual acuity and, as a result of hydrocephalus, the patient may have optic atrophy. Syn. acrocephalosyndactyly. SeeCrouzon's syndrome.Axenfeld's syndrome A rare, inherited disease characterized by the adhesion of strands of peripheral iris tissue to a prominent Schwalbe's line. It may be associated with glaucoma. Syn. Axenfeld's anomaly. SeePeter's anomaly; Rieger's syndrome.Balint's syndrome An entity characterized by an inability to fixate voluntarily in different parts of the visual field, to see two objects simultaneously (simultanagnosia) and to mislocate when reaching for, or pointing to, an object (ocular apraxia). Patient has normal visual acuity. This is usually due to a bilateral lesion of an area within the parieto-occipital region of the brain. Syn. Balint-Holmes syndrome. Seeocular motor apraxia; simultanagnosia.Bardet-Biedl syndromeSeeLaurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome.Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome An autosomal recessive hereditary disorder characterized by a congenital inability to absorb fats. By the end of the first decade of life the patient develops pigmentary retinopathy, which resembles retinitis pigmentosa, although the pigment clumps are scattered throughout the fundus and not confined to the periphery, and night blindness. Treatment with large doses of vitamin A may retard the progression of the condition. Syn. abetalipoproteinaemia; acanthocytosis.Behçet's syndrome Disease consisting of ulceration of the mouth and genital region with anterior uveitis typically with hypopyon and retinal infiltrates. This disease tends to recur at regular intervals. It usually affects individuals below the age of 40 and in some 20% of cases the eye becomes blind about 3 years after the onset of ocular symptoms. Seeimmunosuppressants.Benedikt's syndrome A syndrome caused by a lesion (usually vascular) within the midbrain. It is characterized by an ipsilateral third nerve paralysis and ataxia and tremor of the limbs on the other side of the body. Seeparalysis of the third nerve; Weber's syndrome.Bernard-Horner syndromeSeeHorner's syndrome.blepharophimosis syndrome A rare, autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by ptosis, poor levator function, shorter than normal width of the palpebral aperture, telecanthus, and commonly epicanthus inversus, partial ectropion of the lower lid and flattening of the supraorbital ridges. Amblyopia and strabismus are present in about half of the cases. The syndrome is caused by mutations in the FOXL2 gene on chromosome 3. Treatment usually begins with surgical correction of the epicanthus and telecanthus, before ptosis surgery. Seeblepharophimosis; congenital ectropion.blind spot syndromeSeeSwann's syndrome.Brown's superior oblique tendon sheath syndrome This syndrome is characterized by limitation of elevation of the eye in adduction, but normal or near normal elevation when the eye is in abduction. There is limitation of movement of the affected eye in the forced duction test when attempting to elevate the eye from the adducted position. The eyes are usually straight in the primary position. The condition seems to be due to a short tendon sheath of the superior oblique muscle and an apparent anomaly of the inferior oblique muscle. It may be congenital and idiopathic or acquired due to inflammation of the tendon as a result of scleritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Syn. Brown's syndrome; sheath syndrome; superior oblique sheath syndrome. SeeFaden procedure.cat's eye syndrome A condition caused by an extra fragment of a copy of chromosome 22. It is characterized by partial iris coloboma (usually a vertical portion) which makes the patient's eye look like a cat's eye. There are also optic disc coloboma, optic nerve degeneration and microphthalmos. The systemic manifestations include mental and growth retardation and low-set or malformed ears.Chandler's syndrome A syndrome characterized by a severe corneal endothelial degeneration resulting in corneal oedema and blurred vision. There is also mild iris atrophy and secondary glaucoma. It tends to affect mainly women between 20 and 40 years of age. The therapy is aimed at treating the glaucoma. Syn. iridocorneal syndrome. SeeICE syndrome.Charles Bonnet syndrome A rare condition characterized by visual hallucinations in an individual who is aware of the unreal nature of the hallucinations. Almost all subjects have reduced visual acuity bilaterally. The condition is often associated with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, other retinal diseases or cataracts.Cogan's syndromeSeeinterstitial keratitis.Cogan-Reese syndromeSeeICE syndrome.computer vision syndrome (CVS) A condition resulting from extensive viewing of computer screens or video display terminals (VDT) or visual display units (VDU). The patient may complain of eyestrain, dry red eyes, headaches, transient blurred vision or diplopia, as well as neckache or backache. The ocular symptoms are caused by continuous accommodative demands produced by the pixels or tiny dots of the computer screen that are difficult to keep in focus, unlike print on a page. Other causes are frequent saccadic eye movements, convergence demands and position of the screen. Management includes exact correction for the distance at which the VDT appears, viewing it about 10º-20º below the straight-ahead position and special dispensing.corneal exhaustion syndrome An intolerance to continue wearing contact lenses after many years of wear, probably due to endothelial dysfunction as a result of chronic hypoxia and acidosis. It occurs primarily with PMMA lenses, but also with other lenses with low oxygen transmissibility. Some of the signs associated with this syndrome are: endothelial polymegethism, corneal oedema, loss of corneal sensitivity, variations in corneal curvature and refractive error, blurred vision, lacrimation, hyperaemia and discomfort. Management usually consists in discontinuing contact lens wear. Refitting with lenses with high oxygen transmissibility is often successful. Syn. corneal fatigue syndrome; corneal exhaustion phenomenon. Seehypoxia; overwear syndrome.corneal fatigue syndromeSeecorneal exhaustion syndrome.Cornelia de Lange syndrome A congenital anomaly characterized by growth and mental retardation, limb malformation, syndactyly, bushy eyebrows meeting in the midline, hairline down on the forehead, depressed bridge of the nose and low-set ears. Ocular manifestations may include ptosis, nystagmus, microcornea and most commonly high myopia. The pathogenesis of the condition is unknown.Crouzon's syndrome An autosomal dominant inherited craniofacial malformation due to premature fusion of the cranial sutures. It is characterized by an abnormally wide cranium, high forehead, short anteroposterior head distance. The ocular signs include exophthalmos, hypertelorism, ectopia lentis, iris coloboma and strabismus. The incidence of this syndrome is much higher than that of Apert's syndrome, another craniofacial anomaly.dorsal midbrain syndromeSeeParinaud's syndrome.Down's syndrome A chromosomal abnormality, trisomy 21, which causes intellectual and physical handicaps with small stature, obesity and developmental heart defects, etc. Ocular signs include epicanthus, blepharoconjunctivitis, cataract, keratoconus, nystagmus and iris spots (Brushfield's). Cases of high myopia are noted but most subjects tend to have hyperopia and there is a high prevalence of strabismus. Visual acuity is also reduced, even after correction of the ametropia. Syn. trisomy 21 syndrome.Duane's syndrome A complex disorder found in about 1% of patients with strabismus, it occurs in three different types. All three types are characterized by retraction of the globe into the orbit and by narrowing of the palpebral fissure on attempted adduction. The left eye is affected more often than the right eye and the condition is bilateral in about 20% of patients. In addition, each type presents an abnormal pattern of ocular motility. Type 1, the most common affecting over three-quarters of all cases, presents limited or absent abduction and slight esotropia in the primary position, and typically a head turn towards the involved side. Type 2 presents limited adduction, slight exotropia and relatively normal or slightly limited abduction, and usually a head turn away from the involved side. Type 3, the rarest (about 1% of all cases), presents limited abduction and adduction. The aetiology is believed to be a congenital absence of the sixth cranial nerve and its nucleus (partial absence in type 2) and fibres from the third cranial nerve innervate the lateral rectus so that innervation results in contraction of both the lateral and medial recti muscles (co-contraction) and the degree of this paradoxical innervation determines the severity of the disorder. Management is frequently surgical especially in types 2 and 3, but prismatic corrections have been found to be beneficial in selected cases. Syn. Duane retraction syndrome (DRS); Duane's phenomenon; retraction syndrome; Stilling-Turk-Duane syndrome; Turk's disease. SeeFaden procedure.Edwards' syndrome A congenital condition in which an extra chromosome 18 is present. The major systemic findings are congenital heart defects and intellectual and physical retardation and the major ocular manifestations are epicanthal folds, corneal opacities, congenital cataract, ptosis and microphthalmos. The life expectancy of patients with this syndrome is less than one year. Syn. syndrome, trisomy 18.Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Syndrome characterized by hyperelasticity of the skin, hyperextensibility of the joints and fragile blood vessels. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue with an increase in dermal elastic tissue and a decrease in collagen. The ocular signs include blue sclera, eye elongation and myopia, angioid streaks, ectopia lentis, keratoconus and retinal detachment.exfoliation syndromeSeepseudoex-foliation syndrome.fallen eye syndrome A condition occurring after a prolonged paresis of the superior oblique muscle of one eye, in which the other eye may not elevate completely, if the paretic eye was always the fixating eye.Fisher's syndrome A rare developmental anomaly due to a fusion of the fascial sheaths of some of the extraocular muscles giving rise to a variety of paralyses depending on the muscles or tendons which have adhered to each other. It can be acquired or congenital. Therapy is mainly surgical.floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) A condition often occurring in very obese middle aged males, characterized by a very loose upper eyelid allowing it to be very easily everted and sometimes injured during sleep resulting in papillary conjunctivitis. If severe, treatment is by lid shortening.Foster Kennedy syndrome A syndrome in which there is optic atrophy in one eye and papilloedema in the other. This is due to direct pressure by a tumour on one optic nerve giving rise to optic atrophy, and as a result of raised intracranial pressure papilloedema develops in the other eye. It is often caused by a tumour at the base of the frontal lobe or an olfactory meningioma. In some cases the patient also reports a loss of smell. Syn. Kennedy's syndrome.Foville's syndrome A disorder of the inferior cerebellar artery that causes a pontine lesion involving the abducens and the facial (seventh) nucleus or its fasciculus as it leaves the brainstem at the pontine paramedian reticular formation. It is characterized by a paralysis of the conjugate eye movements towards the affected side (horizontal gaze palsy), ipsilateral facial paralysis, hemianaesthesia of the face, contralateral paralysis of the limbs, Horner's syndrome and deafness.fragile X syndrome (FXS) An inherited syndrome caused by a constriction and nearly broken long arm of an X chromosome at q27.3. Although males are mainly affected, females are also affected to a lesser extent and carry the genetic defect. Systemic manifestations are intellectual retardation (the second most common cause after Down's syndrome), enlarged testes, high forehead and large jaws and long ears. The ocular manifestations are strabismus (typically esotropia), large refractive errors (most commonly hyperopic) and poor eye contact.Fuchs' syndrome Changes in the colour of the iris of one eye associated with a mild inflammation of the iris as well as the ciliary body, often complicated with cataract and sometimes glaucoma. Seeheterochromia.Gardner's syndromeSeecongenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium.Gerstmann syndrome A disorder believed to result from a lesion at the occipitoparietal border, the angular gyrus and the interparietal sulcus. It is characterized by finger agnosia, agraphia, acalculia and right-left disorientation. Ocular findings are homonymous hemianopia and visual agnosia for colours.Goldenhar's syndrome A syndrome characterized by preauricular appendages and vertebral and facial bones anomalies with epibulbar dermoids, upper eyelid coloboma as well as a microphthalmos and optic disc coloboma. Syn. oculoauriculovertebral dysplasia.Gradenigo's syndrome An inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media) and mastoid bone (mastoiditis) extending to the apex of the petrous temporal bone. It results in ipsilateral deafness, pain in or near the eye on the side of the face (fifth nerve involvement), paralysis of the external rectus muscle (sixth nerve involvement), facial paralysis, reduced corneal sensitivity (fifth nerve involvement) and some increase in body temperature. The condition responds well to antibiotics.Gregg syndromeSeerubella syndrome.Hermansky-Pudlak s . Seealbinism.van der Hoeve's syndromeSeeblue sclera.Holmes-Adie syndromeSeeAdie's syndrome.Horner's syndrome Interruption of the sympathetic nerve supply to the dilatator pupillae muscle resulting in miosis, slight ptosis (1 or 2 mm), slight elevation of the lower lid, enophthalmos, anisocoria (greater in dim illumination), heterochromia (mainly in the congenital type), and reduced or absence of ipsilateral sweating if the lesion is preganglionic to the superior cervical ganglion. Possible causes are central (e.g. tumour, vascular, demyelination), preganglionic (tumour, common carotid and aortic aneurysms and dissection) or postganglionic (e.g. otitis media, internal carotid dissection, tumour). Syn. Bernard-Horner syndrome. Seeefferent pupillary defect; Table P11.Hurler's syndrome An autosomal recessive inherited disorder caused by mutation in the gene encoding the enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA). It is characterized by dwarfism, skeletal and facial dysmorphism, intellectual retardation, gargoyle like facies and corneal clouding. There may also be pigmentary retinopathy and optic atrophy. Patients excrete excessive amounts of heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate in the urine. A subtype of this condition is called Hurler-Scheie syndrome (Scheie syndrome) in which the enzyme deficiency is less severe and the systemic features are less pronounced. Syn. mucopolysaccharidosis type 1.ICE syndrome A syndrome involving the proliferation of corneal endothelium, iris nodules, atrophy of the iris and synechia resulting in secondary glaucoma. ICE is an abbreviation of iridocorneal endothelial. Syn. Cogan-Reese syndrome; iridocorneal endothelial syndrome; iris naevus syndrome. Seeiris naevus; Chandler's syndrome.immobile lens syndromeSeecontact lens acute red eye.infantile esotropia syndromeSeeinfantile strabismus.iridocorneal endothelial syndromeSeeICE syndrome.iris naevus syndromeSeeICE syndrome.Irlen's syndromeSeeMeares-Irlen syndrome.Irvine-Gass syndromeSeecystoid macular oedema.ischaemic ocular syndrome A syndrome occurring in individuals over the age of 50 with a history of cardiovascular disorders. It is characterized by, usually, unilateral loss of vision which may be acute or may develop over days or months, rubeosis iridis and there may be fadeouts of vision and pain. The fundus may have dilated congested veins with some haemorrhages and macular oedema. Management is directed at the cardiovascular disorder.Kearns-Sayre syndromeSeechronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia.Kennedy's syndromeSeeFoster Kennedy syndrome.Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome An apparently hereditary disorder characterized by mental handicap, dystrophia adiposogenitalis, polydactylism and obesity. The associated ocular abnormalities are retinitis pigmentosa, optic nerve atrophy with reduced visual acuity, night blindness and myopia. Syn. Bardet-Biedl syndrome; Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome.Marcus Gunn jaw-winking syndromeSeejaw-winking phenomenon.Marfan's syndrome A widespread inherited disorder of connective tissue that affects many organs, including the skeleton, lungs, heart and blood vessels. The ocular signs are subluxation or dislocation of the lens which results from a defective suspensory ligament, myopia due to increased axial length, retinal detachment as well as heterochromia, keratoconus, blue sclera, strabismus and glaucoma due to developmental anomalies of the angle of the anterior chamber. The syndrome appears to be due to mutation in fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1), which is located on chromosome 15. Seeluxation of the lens; lattice degeneration of the retina.Meares-Irlen syndrome A visual disorder characterized by difficulties with reading (visual stress), which are mitigated by wearing coloured filters of a specific tint (called Irlens lens). The patient often complains of headaches and eyestrain and observes illusions of motion, colour and shape distortion of a stationary striped pattern (e.g. grating or text). The patient may also have low amplitude of accommodation and reduced stereoscopic visual acuity. Coloured filters individually selected have been found to help in the management of this condition. Syn. Irlen's syndrome; scotopic sensitivity syndrome. Seedyslexia.Mikulicz's A bilateral, painless, symmetrical enlargement of the lacrimal and salivary glands, causing hyposecretion of tears and saliva. It is usually associated with reticulosis, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis or syphilis. Seedacryoadenitis; keratoconjunctivitis sicca; Sjögren's syndrome.Möbius' syndrome (or Moebius') A congenital condition due to a deletion on the long arm of chromosome 13. It is characterized by varying abnormalities of the fifth to the twelfth cranial nerves. The patient may exhibit an expressionless facial appearance, webbed fingers or toes, limb defects, deafness, feeding difficulties and mild mental handicap. The ocular signs include unilateral or bilateral esotropia with inability to abduct the eyes, horizontal gaze palsy and sagging of the lower lids.monofixation syndrome A condition in which there is an inability in binocular fixation, to fuse images formed on the fovea of each eye while peripheral fusion remains normal. There is limited stereopsis in most cases. One eye is usually amblyopic with a small central scotoma, which accounts for the absence of diplopia. There are cases in which there is no strabismus, although anisometropia is present. When there is strabismus (most commonly esotropia) the angle of deviation is small (less than 8 Δ) and the condition is frequently regarded as a type of microtropia. Management usually consists in correcting the refractive error and often occlusion treatment. Seesensory fusion; microtropia; occlusion treatment.Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndromeSeeLaurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome.nystagmus blockage syndrome A condition in which convergence or adduction of one eye reduces nystagmus.'one and one half' syndrome An eye movement disorder resulting from a brainstem lesion of the medial longitudinal fasciculus and the paramedian pontine reticular formation on the same side of the body. It is characterized by a horizontal palsy when the eye looks towards the same side as the lesion and an internuclear ophthalmoplegia (i.e. limited adduction of the eye on the same side and jerk nystagmus of the other eye, when the eyes look to the side of the body opposite to that of the lesion). It is thus named because there is a complete ipsilateral gaze palsy and a contralateral half gaze palsy. Syn. paralytic pontine exotropia. Seeinternuclear ophthalmoplegia.orbital apex syndromeSeeorbital fissure syndrome.orbital fissure syndrome A disorder caused by trauma or tumour involving the superior orbital fissure through which pass the third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves, which supply the extraocular muscles, and also the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. It is characterized by diplopia, corneal and facial anaesthesia (about half the forehead), proptosis and pain behind the eyeball. If the trauma, tumour or an orbital inflammation expands to the orbital apex (orbital apex syndrome) it involves the optic nerve and the results are more severe than the orbital fissure syndrome with optic nerve compression, loss of vision, diplopia, proptosis, limitation of eye movements, and corneal and facial anaesthesia. Syn. orbital apex-sphenoidal syndrome.orbital inflammatory syndrome An idiopathic inflammation of orbital tissues causing sudden pain, restricted ocular motility (including diplopia), proptosis, lid oedema and decreased vision. It may occur in children or adults. The abnormality is thought to be due to an inflammation of the orbital structures including the extraocular muscles (myositis) and tendons, vascular system, sclera, and optic nerve sheath. Lesions may be noted bilaterally, in which case, in the adult population, the possibility of systemic vasculitis or lymphoproliferative disease is raised. Syn. orbital pseudotumour.overwear syndrome Ocular pain, which may be very intense, accompanied by corneal epithelium damage, conjunctival injection, lacrimation, blepharospasm, photophobia, and hazy vision following corneal hypoxia caused by overwear of contact lenses, principally the PMMA type. The symptoms usually begin to appear 2-3 hours after the lenses are removed and recovery usually occurs within 24 hours, although an antibiotic may be needed. Seecorneal abrasion; hypoxia; oedema; corneal exhaustion syndrome.Parinaud's syndrome Paralysis of the conjugate movements of the eyes either for elevation or depression, or both, and sometimes with paralysis of convergence, fixed pupils and lid retraction. This condition is due to a lesion at the level of the superior colliculi or in the subthalamic region. Syn. dorsal midbrain syndrome; tectal midbrain syndrome. Seeconvergence-retraction nystagmus; Collier's sign.pigment dispersion syndrome(PDS) A degenerative process in the iris and ciliary body epithelium in which pigment granules are disseminated and deposited on the back surface of the cornea, the lens, the zonules and within the trabecular meshwork. On the corneal endothelium it may form a vertical spindle shape (called Krukenberg's spindle). Deposition of pigment in the trabecular meshwork may give rise to glaucoma (called pigmentary glaucoma). Seepigmentary glaucoma; Krukenberg's spindle; Sampaolesi's line.Posner-Schlossman syndrome A condition characterized by recurrent episodes of high intraocular pressure (40-80mmHg) associated with intraocular inflammation. Keratic precipitates commonly appear with each attack, especially on the trabecular meshwork. Patients are typically young adults. Main complaint is blurred vision, due to corneal oedema. The cause is unknown, although herpes simplex virus has been implicated. With repeated attacks chronic uveitis and open-angle glaucoma may develop. Treatment usually consists of topical steroids to control the inflammation and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors or beta-blockers to reduce the secretion of aqueous humour and decrease the intraocular pressure. Syn. glaucomatocyclitic crisis.pseudoexfoliation syndrome A systemic disorder in which a greyish-white fibrillogranular basement membrane material is deposited on the anterior lens capsule, zonules, ciliary body, iris, trabeculum and conjunctiva, as well as other organs such as the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys and meninges. With gonioscopy, Sampaolesi's line of pigment can be seen on the surface of the trabecular meshwork anterior to Schwalbe's line. Secondary glaucoma may occur as a result. Syn. exfoliation syndrome. Seecapsular glaucoma; pseudoexfoliation.presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome(POHS)Seehistoplasmosis.Refsum's syndrome An autosomal recessive hereditary disorder caused by a defective metabolism of phytanic acid alpha-hydrolase resulting in an accumulation of phytanic acid in the blood and tissues. The principal signs are pigmentary degeneration of the retina, cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and deafness. The visual fields are constricted and there is night blindness. Management with a phytanic acid free diet may retard the progression of the condition. Syn. Refsum's disease.Reiter's syndromeSeeReiter's disease.retraction syndromeSeeDuane's syndrome.Rieger's syndrome A rare, hereditary (usually autosomal dominant) developmental anomaly of the cornea, iris and the angle of the anterior chamber. It is characterized by posterior embryotoxon, stromal hypoplasia of the iris, pupillary anomalies, adhesion of strands of iris tissue to the cornea at the angle of the anterior chamber and glaucoma in about half of the cases, as well as dental and skeletal abnormalities. It is a more severe disorder than Axenfeld's syndrome to which it is related and is thus sometimes referred to as the Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome. Syn. mesodermal dysgenesis of the cornea and iris.Riley-Day syndrome A hereditary nervous disorder largely confined to Ashkenazic Jews. It is characterized by alacrima, corneal hypoaesthesia, exotropia, myopia and excessive sweating, vomiting, attacks of high fever, incoordination and lack of pain sensitivity. Few patients survive to adulthood as most die from pneumonia and cardiovascular collapse. Syn. familial autonomic dysfunction.rubella syndrome Congenital defects in infants whose mothers contracted rubella in the first few months of pregnancy. The infant may have cardiac malformation, cataract, pigment epithelium disorders, deafness, microcephaly and mental handicap. Syn. Gregg syndrome. Seedeaf-blind.Scheie syndromeSeeHurler's syndrome.scotopic sensitivity syndromeSeeMeares-Irlen syndrome.shaken baby syndrome Malicious injury to an infant which causes cerebral (especially intracranial haemorrhage) and ocular damage particularly retinal haemorrhage, but in whom external signs of ocular or head injury are typically absent. It is due to ruptures of retinal vasculature as a result of violent shaking of the baby.Sjögren's syndrome An autoimmune chronic connective tissue disease characterized by a failure of lacrimal secretion and diminished salivary flow due to destruction of lacrimal and salivary glands. It leads to keratoconjunctivitis sicca, with dryness of the mouth, of the upper respiratory tract and other mucous membranes and often associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The condition occurs predominantly in women after menopause. Management involves artificial tears, corticosteroids, punctal occlusion and in very severe cases tarsorrhaphy may be required. Seealacrima; keratoconjunctivitis sicca; Mikulicz's syndrome; artificial tears.Stevens-Johnson syndrome An acute form of erythema exudativum multiforme involving the mucous membranes and large areas of the body. Some form of conjunctivitis occurs in most cases but symblepharon (an adhesion between the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva) and keratoconjunctivitis sicca with corneal opacification and loss of vision may also occur. Common causes include reaction to some drugs (e.g. sulfonamides, penicillin, NSAIDs), secondary to an infection (e.g. herpes simplex virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae). Management with high permeability sealed scleral contact lenses which can retain physiological saline bathing the cornea have been found to alleviate symptoms. Seepseudomembranous conjunctivitis; entropion; erythema multiforme; ocular ferning test.Stickler's syndrome An autosomal dominant hereditary, progressive connective tissue disorder. One form of the syndrome is caused by mutation in the collagen, type 2, alpha-1 gene (COL2A1), another by mutation in COL11A1 gene and another by mutation in COL11A2 gene. It is characterized by a flattened face, maxillary hypoplasia, progressive arthritis, cleft palate and deafness. The ocular manifestations include progressive vitreoretinal degeneration, which results in an empty vitreous cavity, vitreous bands, retinal vascular sheathing, chorioretinal atrophy, high myopia, cataract and retinal detachment. SeeWagner's syndrome.Stilling-Turk-Duane syndromeSeeDuane's syndrome.Sturge-Weber syndrome A rare, congenital disease characterized by reddish pigmentation or 'port-wine' stains (naevus flammeus), usually on one side of the face in the area supplied by the trigeminal nerve. It is associated with a haemangioma of the choroid and high intraocular pressure, which give rise to megalocornea or glaucoma. Syn. Sturge-Weber disease, encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis. Seetelangiectasia.superior oblique sheath syndromeSeeBrown's superior oblique tendon sheath syndrome.Swann's syndrome An esotropia in which the angle of deviation is such that the retinal image of the fixation object in the deviated eye falls on the optic disc. Syn. blind spot esotropia; syndrome, blind spot.Terson's syndrome Subarachnoid haemorrhage followed by retinal haemorrhage (in about 30% of patients) which breaks through the inner limiting membrane of the retina into the vitreous. It is due to an acute rise in intracranial pressure. The condition often subsides spontaneously, otherwise treatment usually consists of vitrectomy. Seepreretinal haemorrhage.tight lens syndromeSeecontact lens acute red eye.tilted disc syndromeSeecongenital scleral crescent.Treacher Collins syndrome An autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by deformities of the skull and face with hypoplasia of the zygomatic and mandible bones, ear defects, antimongoloid slants of the palpebral fissures, colobomas of the lower lids and absence of eyelashes medially. It is caused by mutation in the 'treacle' gene (TCOF1). Syn. mandibulofacial dysostosis.trisomy 18 syndromeSeeEdwards' syndrome.trisomy 21 syndromeSeeDown's syndrome.Turcot syndromeSeecongenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium.Turner's syndrome A disorder caused by the absence of, or sometimes defective, X chromosomes in females. It is characterized by shortness of stature, webbing of the skin and neck, congenital heart disease and genitourinary anomalies. The ocular manifestations include epicanthus, ptosis, strabismus, blue sclera, myopia, cataract, and colour vision deficiencies. Note: as these female patients are born with only a single X chromosome this is designated as monosomy 45XO. Seechromosome; inheritance.Usher's syndrome An autosomal recessive inherited condition characterized by retinitis pigmentosa associated with deafness. One form of the syndrome is caused by mutation in the MYO7A gene (myosin, unconventional, family 7, member A), another form is caused by mutations in a PDZ domain-containing gene on chromosome 11p15.1. Seedeaf-blind.uveal effusion syndrome A condition characterized by choroidal detachments associated with exudative retinal detachment and frequent localized areas of retinal pigment epithelium hypertrophy. The cause may be idiopathic, trauma, intraocular surgery or chronic uveitis. Treatment is aimed at the primary cause. Seechoroidal detachment.V syndromeSeeV pattern.Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome(VKH) A severe, multisystem disorder of unknown origin. It is characterized by various systemic features: alopecia, poliosis, vitiligo and/or hearing difficulties. The ocular manifestations, bilateral in nature, are: iridocyclitis, which often leads to the formation of posterior synechia and secondary glaucoma, choroiditis and retinal detachment. Management includes antiinflammatory drugs. Syn. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. SeeHarada's disease.Wagner's syndrome An autosomal dominant inherited disease caused by mutation in the gene encoding chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG2), which is a proteoglycan present in the vitreous humour. The condition is characterized by an empty vitreous cavity or dense membranes within the vitreous, myopia, retinal perivascular pigmentation, retinal degeneration, cataract and, less frequently, retinal detachment. Vision is usually normal until adulthood. The condition is not associated with systemic diseases. Syn. vitreoretinal degeneration. SeeStickler's syndrome.Weber's syndrome A syndrome caused by a lesion (usually vascular) in the cerebral peduncle of the brain. It is characterized by an ipsilateral third nerve paralysis associated with facial paralysis and contralateral hemiplegia. Seeparalysis of the third nerve; Benedikt's syndrome.Weill-Marchesani syndrome A connective tissue disorder inherited as autosomal dominant caused by mutations in the fibrillin 1 gene (FBN1) or recessive dominant, which can be caused by mutations in the ADAMTS10 gene. The syndrome is characterized by spherophakia, lenticular myopia and glaucoma, which result from lens subluxation and pupil block, associated with brachydactyly and short stature. SeeMarfan's syndrome.Wernicke's syndromeSeeWernicke's disease.

syn·drome

(sin'drōm)

Aggregate of symptoms and signs associated with any morbid process.

syndrome (sin´drōm),

n a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a disease.

n disorder of sexual development or function associated with abnormal adrenocortical function resulting from bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, carcinoma, or adenoma. Pseudohermaphroditism occurs congenitally, and masculinization occurs later in females. Precocious sexual development and occasionally feminization occur in males.

syndrome, AHOP,

n.pradiposity, hyperthermia, oligomenorrhea, and parotitis appearing in females. Parotid gland enlargement begins at puberty and is followed by obesity, oligomenorrhea, and psychic disturbances.

syndrome, Apert,

n.pr craniostenosis characterized by oxycephaly and syndactyly of the hands and feet. Facial manifestations include exophthalmos, high prominent forehead, small nose, and malformation of the mandible and oral cavity. Also called acrocephalosyndactyly.

syndrome, Ascher,

n.pr syndrome consisting of double lip, a redundance of the skin of the eyelids (blepharochalasis), and nontoxic thyroid enlargement. The sagging eyelids are obvious when the eyes are open; the double lip is seen when the patient smiles.

n.pr recurrent iritis and aphthous ulcers of the oral cavity and genitalia. Other manifestations include arthralgia, hydrarthrosis, swelling of the salivary glands, cutaneous eruptions, and central nervous system disorders.

syndrome, Bloch-Sulzberger (incontinentia pigmenti),

n.pr syndrome in which pigmented skin lesions, defects of the eyes and central nervous system, skeletal anomalies, and hypoplasia of the teeth occur.

syndrome, Bogarad,

n.pr See syndrome, auriculotemporal.

syndrome, Böök's

n.pr syndrome characterized by premature graying of the hair, hyperhidrosis, and premolar hypodontia.

n.pr discomfort, pain, and jaw pathosis claimed by Costen to be caused by lack of posterior occlusion, loss of vertical dimension, malocclusion, trismus, or muscle tremor.

syndrome, cracked tooth,

n a condition caused by a cracked tooth, resulting in pain when chewing or applying other pressures or when in contact with cold substances. The crack may occur only on the enamel, or it may extend into the pulp.

syndrome, CREST,

n a syndrome in which the initial letters of the clinical signs form the acronym CREST: calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia; it is a slowly progressive disease in which calcium deposits usually form under the skin on the fingers and sometimes on other areas of the body; exposure to cold or stress causes pain in the fingers or toes; there is difficulty swallowing and acid reflux; there is tightening and thickening of the skin causing the fingers to bend; and small red spots form on the skin of the fingers, face, or inside of the oral cavity. It is a form of scleroderma that is diagnosed when at least two of these clinical signs are present.

syndrome, cri-du-chat

n clinical syndrome associated with the deletion of the short arm of a B chromosome. Manifestations include mental retardation, various congenital abnormalities, and an infant cry resembling the mewing of a cat.

syndrome, crocodile tears,

n a syndrome in which a spontaneous lacrimation occurs with the normal salivation of eating. It follows facial paralysis and seems to result from straying of the regenerating nerve fibers, some of those destined for the salivary glands going to the lacrimal glands.

syndrome, Crouzon,

n.pr a group of genetically inherited diseases characterized by midfacial hypoplasia, craniosynostosis, exophthalmos, and short head. Thought to be caused by a genetic mutation of the FGFRZ gene, located on chromosome 10.

n.pr a congenital or familial disorder characterized by fragility of the skin and blood vessels, hyperlaxity of the joints, hyperelasticity of the skin, subcutaneous pseudotumors, and tendency to hemorrhage postoperatively.

n disorder developing in children who have been exposed to anticonvulsant therapy during the mother's pregnancy; indicated by mental deficiency, growth retardation, craniofacial abnormalities, cleft palate or lip, and congenital heart defects.

n.pr sweating and flushing in the preauricular and temporal areas when certain foods are eaten. Thought to be related to parotid gland trauma or a complication of parotidectomy.

syndrome, Fröhlich's (adiposogenital dystrophy),

n.pr adiposity and genital hypoplasia resulting from hypopituitarism or hypothalamohypophysdystrophy.

syndrome, Gardner's,

n.pr the development of multiple osteomas, polyposis of the large bowel, epidermoid or sebaceous cysts, and cutaneous fibromas.

syndrome, general adaptation (adaptation syndrome, GAS),

n a three-stage physiologic response to physical or psychologic stress. The first stage is the alarm reaction, consisting of bodily changes typical of emotion. A second stage is resistance to stress, wherein an attempt is made to adapt to the physiologic changes. Certain hormones of the anterior pituitary gland and the adrenal cortex hypersecrete to increase resistance. Such resistance leads to diseases of adaptation, such as hypertension. Continual stress results in the third stage, exhaustion.

syndrome, Goldscheider's,

n.pr dystrophic form of epidermolysis bullosa, leading to scars. The disturbance is inherited on an autosomal dominant or recessive basis. This form of epidermolysis bullosa leads to retardation of mental and physical growth. See also syndrome, Weber-Cockayne.

syndrome, Gorlin (nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome),

n.pr See syndrome, nevoid basal cell carcinoma.

syndrome, Greig's,

n.pr a condition manifested by ocular hypertelorism, often mental retardation, ectodermal and mesodermal abnormalities, and dental and oral anomalies.

n.pr a tetrad of symptoms resulting from paralysis of the cervical sympathetic trunk: pupillary constriction, ptosis of the upper eyelid, dilation of the orbital blood vessels (redness of conjunctiva), and blushing and anhidrosis of the side of the face.

n.pr a heritable disorder of mucopolysaccharide metabolism in which excessive acid mucopolysaccharides–dermatan sulfate and heparitin sulfate–are made and stored in the tissues. Clinical manifestations include hypertelorism, open oral cavity with large-appearing tongue, thick eyelids and lips, anomalies of the teeth, and short, broad neck. The skeletal and facial deformities resemble the gargoyles of Gothic architecture. Mental retardation, corneal clouding, hepatosplenomegaly, deafness, and cardiac defects are present.

syndrome, Hutchinson-Gilford (progeria),

n.pr syndrome of dwarfism, immaturity, and pseudosenility. Patient appears to be bald and elderly at an early age. Hypoplasia of the mandible occurs, and the face is small in relation to the neurocranium.

syndrome, jaw-winking (winking-jaw syndrome),

n congenital unilateral ptosis and elevation of the lid on opening of the jaw or moving of the mandible to the contralateral side.

n.pr presence in men of an abnormal sex-chromosome constitution. Persons with XXY constitution show the clinical signs of sterility, aspermatogenesis, variable gynecomastia, and often mental retardation. About 50% of subjects with XXXXY variant have cleft palate.

syndrome, Klippel-Feil,

n.pr fusions of cervical vertebrae, short neck with limited head movement, and extension of the posterior hairline.

n.pr tall, thin stature, long, tapered fingers and toes (arachnodactyly), dislocation of the lens of the eye (ectopia lentis), and aneurysm leading to rupture of the aorta.

syndrome, McCune-Albright,

n.pr a polyostotic form of fibrous dysplasia, usually associated with precocious puberty in females, endocrine disturbances influencing growth, and brown pigmentation of the skin.

syndrome, Melkersson-Rosenthal,

n.pr transient facial edema, especially swelling of the upper lip, facial paralysis, and lingua plicata. Plicated swelling of the mucosa of the tongue, palate, and buccal mucosa may not be present, or the paralysis may be incomplete.

syndrome, Mikulicz's

n.pr a condition characterized by swelling of the parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and lacrimal glands; associated with lymphosarcoma, leukemia, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and syphilis.

syndrome, Möbius's,

n.pr congenital facial diplegia consisting of facial paralysis as well as lingual and masticatory muscle paralysis, inability to abduct the eyes, and anomalies of the extremities.

syndrome, Munchausen

n.pr a condition in which a patient repeatedly reports to a physician or hospital for treatment of an illness, the symptoms and history of which have been entirely fabricated.

syndrome, myeloproliferative

n extramedullary myelopoiesis in adults. It may follow contact with benzol compounds or polycythemia, or it may precede leukemia.

syndrome, nephrotic

n syndrome that includes proteinuria, hyperlipemia, hypoproteinemia, and edema. It occurs in a variety of conditions in which increased glomerular permeability and urinary loss of protein occur.

syndrome, nevoid basal cell car-cinoma

n a condition inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and characterized by a predisposition for keratocystic odontogenic tumors (odontogenic keratocysts) and skin cancers, especially basal cell carcinoma, as well as the presence of a number of abnormalities or tumors in the skeletal, nervous, endocrine, and other systems.

syndrome, nonarticular pain,

n one of several painful disorders that limit joint motion and affect the periarticular structures: the tendons, tendon sheaths, bursae, connective tissue, and muscles. Patients commonly call this syndrome “muscular aches and pains.” The pains are chronic and nagging and may occur in acute exacerbations. The neck, shoulder, back, thighs, hands, and legs are common sites of irritation. The nonarticular disorders are associated with fibrositis, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, and periarticular muscle spasm. The precipitating agents are often obscure and may be associated with postural or personality disorders. When the acute symptoms of pain, stiffness, and restricted motion are reduced, the tissues resume their normal function.

syndrome, Papillon-Lefèvre,

n.pr extensive periodontal disease in young patients (juvenile periodontosis) accompanied by keratotic lesions of the palmar and plantar surfaces. In some patients, changes similar to hereditary ectodermal dysplasia also are present.

Papillon-Lefeèvre syndrome.

syndrome, paratrigeminal

n trigeminal neuralgia, sensory loss, weakness and atrophy of the masticatory muscles, miosis, and ptosis of the upper eyelid on the affected side of the face resulting from a lesion of the semilunar ganglion and fibers of the carotid plexus.

n.pr micrognathia of the newborn. Congenital retrognathism associated with cleft palate, glossoptosis, difficulty in swallowing, respiratory obstruction, and cyanosis. This congenital micrognathia corrects itself during the growth of the child if proper care is provided.

syndrome, Plummer-Vinson,

n.pr a symptom complex that includes fissures at the corners of the oral cavity, sore tongue, dysphagia, achlorhydria, and iron-deficiency anemia. Most commonly seen in females in the fourth and fifth decades of life and associated with a predisposition to carcinoma of the oral cavity and esophagus.

syndrome, premenstrual (PMS),

n a condition that occurs within 10 days before menstruation and ends soon after menstruation begins. The most common physical and psychologic symptoms may include fatigue, heightened appetite, lack of coordination, headache, bloating or cramping of the abdomen, pain in the joints or back, pressure or pain in the breasts, depression, apprehension, and inappropriately aggressive behavior.

syndrome, radial tunnel,

n a painful condition caused by the compression of the radial nerve that passes in various branches from the spine through the forearm, wrist, and hand.

syndrome, Ramsey-Hunt,

n.pr herpetic inflammation of the geniculate ganglion, with herpes zoster of the soft palate, anterior faucial pillar, and auricular area.

syndrome, Reiter's,

n.pr a syndrome that consists of arthritis (often of the rheumatoid type), conjunctivitis, nonspecific urethritis, and occasionally aphthous ulcers of the oral mucosa.

syndrome, Rieger's,

n.pr a syndrome the characteristics of which include hypodontia, conical crowns, enamel hypoplasia, dysgenesis of the iris and cornea, and myotonic dystrophy.

n an acute muscle spasm in the muscles associated with the protection and movement of the joint. It is believed to be caused by a postural (occlusal) imbalance associated with the muscular tension induced by psychologic stress. The principal symptoms are pain in the region of the joint, limitation of mobility of the mandible, crepitus, clicking sounds in the joint, and often tinnitus.

n a group of closely related and genetically determined disorders in which a specific decrease in one of the polypeptide chains constituting hemoglobin occurs. The defect results in hypochromic microcytic erythrocytes. Alpha, beta, and delta variants occur, as well as several subtypes based on biochemical techniques. See also thalassemia.

n.pr a syndrome characterized by the absence of one of the X chromosomes, with affected females being sterile and short of stature and having various congenital anomalies, such as webbing of the neck, low-set ears, wide-set eyes, shieldlike chest, absence of breasts, and cubitus valgus. Common orofacial findings are hypoplastic mandible, high palatal vault, and dental anomalies.

syndrome, Ullrich-Feichtiger,

n.pr a syndrome that has micrognathia, polydactyly, and genital malformations.

syndrome, Urbach-Wiethe,

n.pr a syndrome characterized by hyalinosis of the skin and mucous membranes and hoarseness. The skin is infiltrated with yellowish, waxy nodules, and the oral tissues with similar plaques beginning before puberty and becoming increasingly severe. The teeth may be hypoplastic or may fail to develop.

syndrome, vestibular disorder,

n one of several syndromes involving the vestibule of the ear. The two most common syndromes of vestibular disorders are seasickness, which results from the continuous movement of the endolymph in susceptible individuals (probably related to a disturbance in the reflex control of the eyeball movements), and Meniere's syndrome, of which paroxysmal vertigo is the principal sign but other associated vascular and metabolic disorders can occur.

syndrome, Waardenburg-Klein,

n.pr a syndrome consisting of congenital deafness, white forelock, increased distance between the inner canthi, the iris of the same eye or of the two eyes having different color (heterochromic irides), and prognathism. Inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder.

syndrome, Weber-Cockayne,

n.pr a simple nonscarring form of epidermolysis bullosa; transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. See also syndrome, Goldscheider's.

n.pr a syndrome consisting of reticular atrophy of the skin, with pigmentation, dystrophic fingernails and toenails, and oral leukoplakia. Hyperhidrosis of the palms and soles is present, as well as acrocyanosis of the hands and feet.

syndrome

a combination of clinical signs resulting from a single cause or so commonly occurring together as to constitute a distinct clinical picture. For specific syndromes, see under the specific name, as flat puppy syndrome, cushing's syndrome.

syndrome recognition

a preliminary stage in the making of a diagnosis based on the recognition of a particular combination of clinical signs.

in humans; characterized by a small uterus and underdeveloped external genitalia; deafness and lowered mentality may be present.

Patient discussion about syndrome

Q. I have a little brother who has Fetal Alcolhol syndrome He is 9 yrs. old & was born wi the condition.

A. HELLO jamesis,i am very sorry to here that. right now you are a good sister to him,because you want to help him by learning about your brothers desease. your brother will have a normal life because he has you to help him in life. if you have read any of my answers you now know the reason i always tell people not to drink or drink and drive--im sorry you had to find this out this way. alcohol is a drug, just because it is legal doesnt make a difference. When you get older, and if you have a family like me-you can past this lesson down to your children--you are the hope of the world,because you and your friends can pass the word down to there friends and family and maybe just maybe you can stop mothers from drinking.stay strong if you need anymore questions asked just send we an email.mrfoot56

Q. What is asperger`s syndrome? what is asperger`s syndrome and how is it linked to Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)?

A. Let me make it clear that PDD and ASD are same and autism is one of its types. Other types of PDD or ASD are asperger`s syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett's syndrome, Pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS). They all have almost similar symptoms with some major differences so they are named differently. Like in asperger`s syndrome, it’s a milder form of autism. Here a child gets obsessive for one thing and excels in it to a good level as they don’t have delay in language and cognitive development. They do face problems in social interaction.

Q. How the fetus is influenced from Bloom syndrome? If the mother has the syndrome, what is the influence on the fetus?

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.